This is the dramatic moment a female shop assistant bravely karate kicked an armed robber who stole a bracelet from a gold shop.

Cashier Arapiya Klangthaisong, 28, heroically chased after the thief who was escaping with a gold bracelet from the Yaowarat gold shop in Roi Et province, Thailand, on January 16.

CCTV footage from inside the building shows a cap-wearing customer trying on the accessory before bolting for the entrance doors.

Arapiya dashed in hot pursuit and caught up to the lady as she was starting up her motorcycle. The brave worker foiled her escape by unleashing a powerful kick that knocked her over.

The suspect was quickly subdued and led back into the store with the help of officers at a police booth.

She was identified as Chanima Cheunta, 32, a primary school teacher at a private institution. She had attempted the robbery of the 60,000-THB (1,810 USD) bracelet during Teacher's Day in Thailand.

Arapiya said: 'I was afraid but I knew I must prevent her from stealing the gold bracelet. Because I knew that this person was a small, unarmed woman, I decided to follow and catch her.'

Chanima was taken to the Selaphum Police Station and claimed she was driven to steal from the shop due to creditors hounding her and her family.

She had previously taken out a loan of 70,000 THB (2,112 USD) for a second-hand car business.

Her venture failed, and she said she was still paying off 50,000 THB (1,509 USD) in debt, prompting her to try and steal from the gold shop.